Bollywood Cooking: Aachari Alu - Potatoes in Mango Chutney Sauce

I was out with the girls yesterday evening and over several glasses of Cosmopolitans we got to discussing the "Perfect Man". One of my friends, AJ, said she'd seen somewhere a baking gag that one could buy - on the lines of "Bake your perfect man!" Now wouldn't that be a delicious experience. Mine would be made of chocolate!

So what would your perfect man be like? I really do not have to think twice about this one. It's easy - a mix between Daniel Craig and Jamie Oliver! Now where can I get my hands on that kind of baking mix, ladies? On the outside a 100% Daniel Craig, including every one of the six packs and those magnetic blue eyes. The inner qualities, I would divide between the rugged charm of DC's character James Bond and the slight madness and cooking freak of JO!

Before I get caught up in my wild fantasy, let me get to the real issue of this post!

Potatoes! A common vegetable that often is underrated. The Indian kitchen provides us with a multitude of varieties to cook the potato, making it in my eyes a very versatile ingredient.

This month I thought I would feature another recipe from the cookbook, given the fact that this month's Monthly Mingle features Indian cuisine in the spectacular MM theme Bollywood Cooking. This time, thanks to Bulbul, I am able to give away an autographed copy of this cookbook to one spectacular entry. I already have a few good looking entries and look forward to more. You have till May 5th to send me your entries.

Coming back to the recipe. The recipe is one from the legendary Bachans. If there were ever to be something like a Royal Family in India I am sure the Bachan family would regally fit the position. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their life and especially about their eating habits. You see a person in a totally different light when you know what their food likes and dislikes are. A dish that instantly intrigued me was this Aachari Alu - potatoes in a mango chutney sauce. I cannot remember ever having tried this combination of flavors before and it was perfect for a recent Indian dinner party I gave.

The recipe's main star is the potato and a little bit like Cinderella's tale, the drab looking spud is turned into a glamorous dish fit for the red carpet with the magical addition of mango chutney. The great thing about this story is that there is no pumpkin at the strike of 12 - just a lot of satisfied smiles all around.

Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan. Sauté the onions on high heat until golden, then add the tomatoes. Under regular stirring cook the mixture until it turns into a thick paste.

Add some salt and the turmeric powder. After a minute throw in the potatoes and approx. 50 milliliters water. Covered and on low heat, simmer the potatoes until soft and the water has evaporated - this takes about 15-20 minutes.

Stir in the mango pickle sauce and a sprinkling of pepper. Garnish with the chopped coriander leaves and serve with warm rotis or pita bread.

Verdict

Nothing could be more simpler yet so exquisite. If you have your own homemade mango chutney sauce - perfect. If not use your favorite store bought chutney instead. This was a brilliant addition to my Indian dinner and all my guests kept asking what the secret to the dish was. When adding the chutney make sure it is not the really sweet stuff. I make a mild one which is sweet, spicy and a bit sour, so all the flavors highlighted the potatoes perfectly.

This looks and sounds amazing. As far as Daniel Craig goes, I'd agree with you on the hunkiness factor. I've never heard of him. The idea of a melting chocolate hunkster is a bit messy, though. Hahahaha!

Daniel Craig is soooo yummy!!!! My poor boyfriend had to listen to me gush all through the movie...my perfect man would be warm, sweet, adventurous and sinfully delicious! I just think of your Chocolate Chile Pots De Crème in a lava cake form...love the mango chutney...adding it to the list!

Meeta, I have something very similar to yours for your Bollywood Cooking event!:) I'll type it up and send it to you by tomorrow:) that aloo plate looks delicious!!:) I made sweet n sour potatoes with mango and ginger, and since then I've been a fan of mangoes in recipes!:)

If you can find this "baking mix" send it my way ;) Although I love my man with dark hair, but nothing against six packs and blue eyes :)I know somebody who've found the perfect woman baking mix. Gorgeous dish, Meeta! And lucky man you have! (I'm talking about your hubby of course ;)

This looks excellent! I try to dabble in Indian cooking, but I've got a lot to learn. My wife loves mango pickle and I've never made mango chutney, but we sure go through our fair share of mangoes. I'll have to try this one out!

Meeta,i just found your blog today. I'm totally amazed. You're a great cook AND you take beautiful beautiful photographs.. Plus you buy organic, wow.. I love Indian food, I've been making a few here and there - not sure how authentic it is since I'm not Indian - but it tastes good so that's all that matters. Am wondering if you'd post a recipe for tikka masala sometime. Thanks.

Meeta,I made your achari aloo and it turned out great, a lovely combination of flavours. Thanks for the recipe. You can find my post at http://mydiversekitchen.blogspot.com/2008/07/lauras-portuguese-sweet-bread-no-knead.html

Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hello, I am Meeta a freelance food photographer, stylist and writer living in the cuturally rich city of Weimar, Germany with my husband and our son, where I enjoy preparing multi-cultural home cooked meals with fresh organic ingredients. What's for lunch, Honey? is my award winning food blog where I combine my love for food with my love for photography and styling...